environmental portrait – Brokaw Photography

05 Feb 2018

BRIDGET WINGERT EDITOR BUCKS COUNTY HERALD

PRINT IS NOT DEAD

Bridget Wingert had a vision to create a local paper in the early 2000’s when other newspapers were starting their slow decline. She made it happen and it’s still happening. The Bucks County Herald, based in Lahaska, PA serves up local news throughout Bucks and Montgomery Counties in PA and is even expanding its reach into neighboring Mercer and Hunterdon Counties in NJ.

I’ve done my share of photojournalism and watched as papers round the country shed their staff. The business model has changed from using ads to support journalism to just using bits and pieces of news for the purpose of selling online ads. (Don’t you just love pop-ups?) . The Herald hasn’t succumbed. There is a lot happening locally and the Herald’s reporters and photographer do an amazing job of covering everything from local government to sports to business news. I was delighted to be asked to do Bridget’s business portrait. I’m a fan.

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15 Nov 2017

NOT AMUSED?

Have you ever had one of those days when you pitch idea after idea to your boss and he just stares at you?…

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13 Nov 2017

LOCAL ART

Johnny Haritos is a Frenchtown based artist, best know for his drawings of rock stars that are signed by the rockers. Johnny with an eye for light, color and shape also produces pleasing and interesting photographs.

I photographed him on B&W film at his recent show at Freedom Art & Music. I really enjoyed seeing his work.

Freedom Art & Music is like a lot of local galleries, offering a venue for local artists and serving as a draw for visitors looking for original art at affordable prices. I try and make it to as many openings as I can. I like supporting local galleries. Just being there matters. Our local galleries are our culture.…

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07 Nov 2017

OWN IT

While shooting some food photos for a local restaurant I was asked if I could get a headshot of the chef. (Of course I could!)

From the moment I stepped into the kitchen I could tell who was in charge of it. She owned it.

No arrogance, no belligerence, just warm, friendly, supreme confidence. …

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06 Nov 2017

TYPEWRITER MAN

Robert DeBarth has been repairing and rebuilding typewriters for over 70 years. Now you might think that business would be slow, but Robert has plenty of work. His skills are actually in high demand. People still love typewriters.

If you’ve ever tried to fix one you know that they are like watches with hundreds of integrated parts. It takes a specialist and there are not too many typewriter factory repair centers anymore (probably none), so Robert is at a premium.

I did a Google virtual tour of Robert’s shop, in Lansdale, Pa and couldn’t resist asking if I could do a few portraits. Robert was fun to photograph and a pleasure to talk to. He has done this work his whole adult life and at 90, he has no plans to quit anytime soon.

In his words, “It’s what I do.”

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05 Nov 2017

DOES YOUR WORK MAKE YOU HAPPY?

Sometimes. Yes?

They say “work is work” and it is, of course, but if it brings us satisfaction then it’s more than work, it’s living life well.

I’ve always loved my jobs, my work (except for that time in college I delivered telephone books…) and most of the time it was satisfying.

That’s especially true at the end of a productive day.

Boredom, fatigue and stress love to nudge their way in from time to time, but that’s normal. So what else is new?

So chances are your work makes you happy, at least sometimes. (Try not to think about the other times!)…

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03 Nov 2017

DO YOU JOURNAL?

I photographed artist, Todd Stone as part of a photo project about the Artists of the Gallows Run. We talked about journals.

Todd is a well known New York artist, www.toddstone.com. Todd witnessed, first hand, the destruction of the Twin Towers and rendered it in paintings. Over the past 16 years he has been witnessing and painting the resurrection.

Todd journals. It settles his mind and evokes new thoughts and ideas.

Journalling is right up there with mindful meditation as a practice to improve your life. It’s not just for artists.

Bill@BrokawPhoto.com…

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10 Oct 2017

HOT IRON

Steve Sears bends metal. The hard stuff, … iron.

Iron doesn’t want to bend. It takes prep. It takes conditioning. It takes energy. Steve’s energy.

Steve has been bending metal for decades. He knows what he wants and how to make it happen. Most people call Steve an artisan. He calls himself, “Steve.” Bending iron is what he does, and does well. He doesn’t worry about labels. We all do what we do, whatever that may be at any given time. Maybe we are label-able, maybe not. It really doesn’t matter.

Photographing Steve was great fun. It’s always a pleasure to be with someone who derives such great satisfaction from his craft.

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04 Sep 2017

Envision-Plan-Implement

Frenchtown enjoyed two simultaneous events Labor Day Weekend that perfectly exemplified the envision-plan-implement process.

A local art and performance venue, Art Yard, provided a street parade of colorfully dressed bird people, while the Frenchtown Business and Professional Association held its Riverfest event, celebrating the town, the arts and the river. Both were a vision of the organizers who planned and implemented their events flawlessly and with joy exhibiting the perfect model for any business. Think it, plan it, do it!

It was delightful and inspiring to see the ecology flags lining the street and waving in the breeze. It inspired a vision for me. I wanted to emulate the glorious, flag-waving scene from Les Mis, palnned out what I wanted to do and struck out to find my photo. I wrangled Mike Tyksinski, the coordinator of Riverfest into being my subject, and we took over the street to create the image. Mike was the perfect subject and waved the flag with gusto.

It is always so satisfying to see a vision implemented, whether it’s a photo, an event or an entire business. It keeps us going with enthusiasm. A couple more photos photos below.

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26 Jul 2017

Interesting Headshots

Headshots are, of course, a staple of business. People expect to see a current version and get a sense of who you are. Headshots are typically done in a studio, which certainly works well, but may sometimes be a little less original than the person being photographed. Your headshot should do you justice!

Studio style headshots are great when large teams of people need to be photographed and consistency is important. They can be done more quickly and efficiently when all the lighting and backdrops are the same. They can also be reproduced more easily if new employees come on board later and need the exact same style of headshot.

Whenever possible, I like to encourage clients to consider creating headshots in a business-oriented environment rather than a studio. This is especially valuable when the business offers some interesting eye candy to serve as a backdrop. Environmental headshots can be visually interesting and when done well, engage the viewer more than a simple studio portrait. Environmental headshots can also tell a story and put you in context. This helps “brand” you for the services or products you offer.

So when it is time to update your headshot consider getting out of the studio. If you want a choice, then do both. Get the safe shot in the studio then reach a little deeper and try something different.

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Tag : environmental portrait